Trumbull and Monroe Selectmen Blast Health District Dissolution

First Selectmen of Trumbull and Monroe issued a joint statement condemning the dissolution of the combined health district into a contentious battle.

Both towns made decisions in December to withdraw from the combined health district and form their own health districts.

Both towns have hired health directors and other staff in preparation for the dissolution. The towns were notified on June 24 that the district board voted to provide a $32,000 severance payment to outgoing Director Patrice Sulik along with a Chevy Trailblazer as part of severance. A letter from the health district’s attorney said that if the towns didn’t agree to those conditions then the staff would liquidate assets, which were bought by Monroe and Trumbull taxpayers.

“It is disappointing for both our towns that the Health District has opted to turn what should have been a smooth transition, into a contentious battle,” said Monroe First Selectman Steve Vavrek. “Taxpayers should have faith that those in government service will do the right thing, and be good stewards of the people’s money and their trust.”

Trumbull First Selectman Tim Herbst said it’s the job of government to provide quality services within an affordable budget.

“We have worked through our towns attorneys to negotiate an agreement that would have provided both a smooth transition and restore faith in the taxpayers that town resources wouldn’t be wasted,” said Herbst. “Unfortunately, the District has rejected that offer, but we are hoping that a reconsideration by the full board, conducted in the light of day, will yield a resolution and a smooth transition.”

The health district scheduled a special meeting on June 26 to be held on Sunday June 28. The board voted to reject the transaction agreement and sell assets.

“No government agency should hold a public meeting on a Sunday afternoon, with less than two days’ notice, and without a quorum of the membership” said Herbst. “It’s not the way government agencies should be run, especially when significant taxpayer resources are at stake.”

Herbst added that the decision underscored why both towns decided to dissolve the district.

“In essence, three people made this decision,” Vavrek said. “In the interest of openness and transparency, we are asking the entire health district to reconvene, and consider the terms of the transition agreement laid out by our towns.”